A guide to Afterlife given by the 1st Monotheist Religion. Part.1
From origins of Zoroastrianism to the impact on our dailylives.
Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions, and it has had a profound impact on many other religions. It’s the first monotheistic religion, but it also has dualistic elements. Basically, this means that it believes in one supreme god, but it also recognizes the existence of a force of evil in the world.
The origins
The religion developed in Persia, in what is now modern-day Iran. It was founded by the prophet Zoroaster, who lived sometime between 1500 and 1000 BCE (near 4000 years ago).
Zoroaster is said to have received divine revelations from Ahura Mazda, the supreme god of Zoroastrianism. According to Zoroaster’s teachings, Ahura Mazda is the source of all that is good in the world, while Ahriman, the principle of evil, is the source of all that is bad.
However, unlike many other dualistic religions, Zoroastrianism does not see the world as being completely divided between good and evil. Instead, Zoroastrianism teaches that humans have the free will to choose between good and evil.
The creation story of Zoroastrianism begins with the concept of “Ahura Mazda” and “Angra Mainyu.”
Ahura Mazda
The supreme deity, the source of all that is good. Angra Mainyu is the source of all evil. These two forces are in eternal conflict, which is played out in the world.
In the beginning, Ahura Mazda created a perfect world, which was then corrupted by Angra Mainyu. This is how the world was thrown into disorder. Ahura Mazda then created a savior, who was to restore the world to perfection.
Ahura Mazda created the world with six “Amesha Spenta,” or holy immortals. These are kind of like archangels or spirits that watch over and protect the world. They are
Spenta Mainyu, who helps people choose between good and evil;
Vohu Manah, who inspires people to do good;
Asha Vahishta, who upholds truth and justice;
Kshatra Vairya, who gives people the ability to choose their own path;
Spenta Armaiti, who watches over the Earth and protects it;
Haurvatat and Ameretat, who are twins who represent health and immortality.
In the beginning, the world was perfect and filled with light. But when Angra Mainyu corrupted the world, darkness and death came into existence. This caused suffering and conflict, and led to the need for the savior.
The first humans
Mashya and Mashyana were the the first man and woman, created by Ahura Mazda. He was perfect and lived in harmony with nature.
But then, the evil spirit of Angra Mainyu corrupted Mashya and Mashyana. They then brought sin into the world. Because of this, all humans were born with the capacity for both good and evil.
This led to a struggle between good and evil, which continued throughout the world. But Ahura Mazda promised that a savior would come and restore the world to perfection.
This savior would be known as Saoshyant. When he came, he would resurrect the dead, judge the souls of the world, and purify the world of all evil and suffering.
In the end, Ahura Mazda would triumph over Angra Mainyu, and the world would be restored to its original state of light and perfection.
There are lots of details I could go into, but let’s talk about the role of fire in Zoroastrianism.
Fire is considered sacred and is used in religious ceremonies. Fire represents the light and power of Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrians pray towards a holy flame, and they believe that fire purifies the soul. Fire also represents wisdom and truth, and it is believed to be the source of inspiration and creativity.
Fire is central to the three main Zoroastrian ceremonies: the Yasna, the Vendidad, and the Siroza.
The Yasna is the main Zoroastrian liturgy, in which priests recite prayers and offer sacrifices to Ahura Mazda.
The Vendidad is a ceremony that focuses on purification and cleansing. And the Siroza is a daily prayer service that is performed at sunrise and sunset. The Siroza is especially focused on fire and light, as it is meant to connect the worshipper with the divine light of Ahura Mazda.
The Teachings — Afterlife concepts
In Zoroastrianism, the afterlife is divided into three parts: heaven, hell, and the middle realm.
Heaven is the ultimate destination for those who lead a righteous life. It’s a place of perfect happiness and peace, where the soul is reunited with Ahura Mazda.
Hell, on the other hand, is the ultimate destination for those who lead an evil life. It’s a place of torment and suffering.
Asha
This key concept of free will is the idea that humans have a moral responsibility to choose good over evil. This was a revolutionary idea in the ancient world, where many religions taught that humans were either inherently good or inherently evil.
In Zoroastrianism, however, humans are neither completely good nor completely evil. This idea is expressed in the concept of “asha,” which can be translated as “truth” or “righteousness.” According to Zoroastrian teachings, humans should strive to live in harmony with asha by living a life of honesty, compassion, and fairness.
Chinvat Bridge
Another important aspect of Zoroastrianism is its focus on the afterlife. According to Zoroastrian beliefs, when a person dies, their soul is judged by a being called the “Chinvat Bridge.”
The Chinvat Bridge is like a spiritual tribunal, where the soul’s good and bad deeds are weighed against each other. If the soul is judged to be good, it will be allowed to cross the bridge and enter paradise.
However, if the soul is judged to be evil, it will be sent to a place of punishment called “Duzakh.”
Duzakh
There are different levels of Duzakh, or hell, in Zoroastrianism.
Duzakh is not seen as an eternal place of punishment. Instead, it’s seen as a place where souls can work to atone for their sins.
There are different levels of Duzakh, depending on the severity of the soul’s sins. For example, there is a level called “Deyaochih,” which is for those who have committed lesser sins. Then there is a level called “Dasht-e-Mahi.
In Dasht-e-Mahi, souls are subjected to a process of purification and atonement. This process is said to last for 12,000 years, which is seen as a unit of time in Zoroastrianism. After the 12,000 years are up, the soul will be judged again.
If it is judged to be pure, it will be allowed to cross the Chinvat Bridge and enter paradise.
Another level of Duzakh is called “Dasht-e-Frohar.”
This level is for those who have committed the most grievous sins, such as murder or rape. In Dasht-e-Frohar, the soul is said to be subjected to a cycle of pain and suffering that lasts for 60,000 years.
Firdaus
In Zoroastrianism, heaven is called “Firdaus” or “Paradise.”
It’s seen as a place of eternal bliss, free from pain, suffering, and death. It’s also described as a place of light, purity, and peace.
It’s said that those who reach Firdaus are reunited with loved ones, and that the souls of animals are also present there.
In Zoroastrianism, there are several factors that determine whether a soul can enter Firdaus. The most important factor is the person’s moral character and deeds in life.
Those who live an honest, moral life will have a greater chance of entering Firdaus. However, it’s not simply a matter of “good deeds” versus “bad deeds.” Rather, it’s about whether a person lives in accordance with the values and teachings of the faith.
Frashokereti
There is also a belief in what’s called “Frashokereti.”
This is the concept of the “end times” or “final judgment.” It’s the belief that at the end of time, there will be a day of reckoning, when everything is brought to light.
On this day, the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked will be punished. This is seen as a final and permanent sorting of the souls of humanity.
After this, there will be a new creation, free from sin and suffering.
Saoshyant
The Saoshyant is a figure in Zoroastrianism that is like a savior figure.
It’s believed that the Saoshyant will bring about Frashokereti and help to restore the world to a state of perfection.
There is some debate about who or what the Saoshyant is. Some believe it’s a human being, while others believe it’s a metaphor for the triumph of good over evil.
What are your thoughts on this? (in the comment section)
